Oppose override in Spencer

Published Tuesday September 3, 2013 at 6:00 am

On Sept. 10, Spencer selectmen are asking Spencer taxpayers to vote for an override. They are asking for $450 to $500 more taxes on your house, depending on the evaluation. This is on top of the 2½ percent the town increases your house taxes every year. This is forever. You will be paying that $450 to $500 more on your taxes every year and not just for one year.

They want the money because the superintendent overspent the school budget. He hired extra secretaries, teacher aides, and teachers — gave them $10,000 raises, and took the money from different departments. The School Committee knew about it and did nothing to stop him, they just looked the other way. Now, they want us, the taxpayers, to pay for it. Where are we supposed to get the money?

Did you know the town of Spencer will operate on a budget in 2014 of $8.3 million? That services 12,600 residents. On the other hand, anticipated 2014 budget for the school department is $27.5 million, it services 1,940 students. This is three times more money spent on the schools than spent for the town. Absurd.

The superintendent and School Committee have to learn they can only spend what is in their budget. Not enough money, make cuts somewhere, like we do. Giving them more money is wrong. It sends the wrong message.

Make the effort, vote no, because next year they will ask for even more money. It will never end.